The £40 high street fingernail test that reveals brittle bones

A FINGERNAIL test that helps to detect osteoporosis is to be made available on the high street for just £40.

It analyses bonding substances in the nail to flag up early warning signs of the bonethinning disease that many don’t know they have until they suffer a fracture.

Patients will be able to send off a small clipping to a lab and within a week are told if they may have the condition, which commonly affects women after the menopause as it is triggered by a sudden drop in hormones.

An estimated three million Britons have osteoporosis, but currently the only way of diagnosing the debilitating illness is through a bone scan, and GPs only refer those patients they believe are at risk.

Around half a million Britons are admitted to hospital each year having broken bones as a result of osteoporosis. Men also suffer from the condition, with those who are slim, drink heavily or smoke at particular risk.

The Osentia test measures bonding sub- stances called disulfides, which help give nails and bones their strength. Patients are given a result of green, amber or red depending on how likely they are to have the disease.

The test cannot definitely tell if patients have osteoporosis, but those with a red result are advised to see their GP and get a scan. A green result suggests they are at low risk while amber is moderate.

Dr Mark Towler, a professor of biomedical engineering at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada, who developed the test, said: ‘Osentia is the first screening test which gives people the opportunity to test their risk of suffering a fragility fracture which is often an early indication of osteoporosis.

‘By using a laser-based technology to analyse an individual’s nail clipping we can assess their risk, as there are similarities between the proteins in nail structure and the proteins that constitute much of bone.’

But the UK’s National Osteoporosis Society questioned the accuracy of the test and said it should not be a substitute for seeing a GP. Fizz Thompson, clinical and operations director at the charity, said: ‘Any product that can help to raise awareness of the impact that fractures can have on people’s lives is a useful addition to current practice.

‘However, we believe there is not enough evidence at this time to show that this new technology is as accurate as visiting your GP, having a discussion about risk factors and being referred for a scan if appropriate.’

The test is currently available at Superdrug and online at a price of £39.99.

Patients diagnosed with the illness can be given drugs called bisphosphonates to help reduce bone loss. They can reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis in the first place by doing strength-bearing exercise such as weight-lifting, pilates and jogging.